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Time to read:
6 minutes
Posted on:
July 31st, 2025
Last reviewed:
September 27th, 2025
Despite the best preventive measures, scams can still succeed because they're designed by skilled criminals who understand human psychology and exploit our natural instincts to be helpful, trusting or responsive to urgent situations. When someone with dementia falls victim to a scam, it's not a reflection of their intelligence or judgement – it's evidence of how sophisticated these criminal operations have become. Scammers deliberately target vulnerable people and use psychological pressure, false urgency and emotional manipulation to bypass normal caution.
Discovering that someone you care about has been scammed can be distressing and overwhelming, but taking quick, organised action can limit damage and help with recovery. The key is staying calm and working through the necessary steps systematically.
If scamming is happening right now – for example, if someone is on the phone with scammers or has just given away financial information – you need to act immediately.
Stop any ongoing contact by hanging up the phone, closing the computer or asking visitors to leave. Don't worry about being rude – protecting someone from further harm is the priority.
Secure accounts immediately by calling banks and credit card companies using the numbers on the back of cards. If it's outside normal hours, Action Fraud is available Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm on 0300 123 2040 for immediate advice.
Don't make any more payments or provide any additional information, even if scammers claim this will resolve the situation or recover money.
Gather evidence quickly by taking screenshots of emails or websites, writing down phone numbers that called and keeping any letters or documents related to the scam.
Your first call should be to any bank or financial institution involved. Most have dedicated fraud teams who are experienced in dealing with these situations and can take immediate protective action.
Call your bank immediately using the number on your bank card or statement – never use numbers provided by suspected scammers. Explain that you believe fraud has occurred and they'll transfer you to their specialist team.
Request immediate actions such as stopping payments, freezing accounts if necessary and blocking cards. Banks can often prevent payments that haven't yet been processed, especially if you contact them quickly.
Ask about recovery options – if you paid by debit card, credit card, or PayPal, there may be ways to recover money through chargeback schemes or fraud protection policies.
Change security details for online banking, including passwords and any security questions that might have been compromised.
Reporting scams serves two purposes: it helps build a picture of criminal activity that can lead to prosecutions, and it may help you recover money or prevent further losses.
Contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or through their website. They're the UK's national fraud reporting centre and will give you a crime reference number that may be needed for insurance claims or bank investigations.
Contact Citizens Advice on 0808 223 1133 or through their website. They will let you know what to do next and give you support on the issues you might be facing.
Report online elements by forwarding suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk and reporting fake social media accounts to the relevant platforms.
Contact local police on 101 if there's no immediate danger, or 999 if scammers are still in the area or making threats.
If the person who's been scammed is vulnerable due to dementia, there may be safeguarding issues to consider.
Contact Adult Social Care at your local authority if you're concerned about ongoing vulnerability. They can assess what additional support might be helpful and coordinate with other agencies if needed.
Consider capacity assessments if you're worried that someone's ability to make financial decisions has been significantly affected. This might be needed for setting up additional protections or support.
Review existing support arrangements and consider whether changes are needed to prevent future incidents.
Once immediate dangers are dealt with, focus on practical steps to limit ongoing damage.
Check all accounts thoroughly for unauthorised transactions, looking particularly at accounts that might not be checked regularly such as savings accounts or credit cards used infrequently.
Review and update security on all online accounts, not just banking. This includes email accounts, social media and any online shopping accounts where payment details might be stored.
Check credit reports to see if any accounts have been opened fraudulently. You can get free credit reports from several providers, and it's worth checking all three main credit agencies as they sometimes have different information.
Document everything by keeping records of all phone calls, emails and letters related to the scam and recovery process. This information may be needed for police investigations, insurance claims, or bank disputes.
Being scammed can be deeply traumatic and the emotional impact often lasts longer than the financial consequences and needs careful attention.
Provide reassurance that being scammed doesn't reflect any personal failing. Scammers are professional criminals who use sophisticated psychological techniques to manipulate people.
Focus on the positive by praising quick reporting and emphasising how the experience can help protect others by contributing to fraud intelligence.
Address practical concerns by helping review and strengthen security measures without making someone feel they can't manage their own affairs.
Watch for ongoing anxiety around phone calls, post, or financial decisions, and consider whether professional support might be helpful if this significantly affects daily life.
Maintain independence wherever possible. The goal is protection, not taking over someone's life. Work together to find solutions that provide security while preserving dignity and choice.
Use the experience as an opportunity to strengthen defences against future scams:
Review and improve security measures
Set up better monitoring systems
Ensure support networks are aware and involved
Keep up to date with new scam tactics
Consider whether additional help with financial management would be beneficial
Remember, being scammed is not a sign of weakness or stupidity – it's a crime that can happen to anyone. The most important thing is stopping further damage and beginning the recovery process with compassion and practical support.
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